Watch for this JAMES BOND BENCH coming to London

From early July until mid-September, 50 unique benches shaped like open books will be dotted around London, each one decorated by a top artist in homage to a particular work of fiction. The National Literacy Trust's Books About Town project aims to celebrate London's rich literary heritage and to raise money for the National Literacy Trust when the benches are auctioned at the end of the summer.

And, yes, there will be a James Bond Book Bench! Designed by Freyja Dean, the Bond Bench will be located in Bloomsbury Square Gardens, and incorporates elements from Casino Royale, Live And Let Die, and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

More details and pics can be found at the official Ian Fleming Publications website which is supporting The National Literacy Trust's Books About Town project.

SOLO paperback released today in U.S.

Today sees the release of the U.S. trade paperback of Solo, the newest James Bond novel by William Boyd. The book was released in hardcover last October by Harper Collins. This paperback is published by Harper Perennial and can be purchased now on Amazon.com.

You can read my review of Solo HERE.

Higson and Cole talk BOND

Here's a terrific video of Charlie Higson and Steve Cole at the Hay Festival talking about James Bond, both young and old. This comes from The Telegraph.


Steve Cole's first Young Bond novel, Shoot To Kill, will be released in the UK on November 6, 2014. It can be pre-ordered now.

NEW YOUNG BOND TITLE AND COVER ART REVEALED!

Today at a special event at the Hay Festival of Literature & the Arts the the UK, Charlie Higson officially handed over the Young Bond series to new author Steve Cole who revealed the cover and title of his first Young Bond adventure: SHOOT TO KILL.

Here is an exclusive book trailer from Random House Children's:

And here's the full cover art from our friends at Ian Fleming Publications. By the way, today also happens to be Ian Fleming's birthday. (Not a coincidence.)

Steve Cole says: "As a boy I played James Bond in the playground; what a rush to be writing Bond now in the playgrounds of his youth for new generations. I am both honoured and hugely excited to be taking on Young Bond from Charlie. I am having a fantastic time shaping a new era in the life of this truly iconic character – readers can expect many firsts, surprises and dangers to come as James´s exploits continue."

Charlie Higson says: "As a lifelong Bond fan, having the opportunity to write five Young Bond books and bring the most famous secret agent in the world to life for a younger generation was a total blast. Being a part of the James Bond legacy, and being allowed to play in his world, was a real honour and I know only too well what excitement is in store for Steve as he begins a new chapter for Young Bond."

Steve Cole and Charlie Higson. (Photo: Jeff Morgan.)

In Shoot To Kill Steve Cole picks up where Charlie Higson left off and throws James Bond into action in Hollywood, CA. The book will be released in the UK by Random House Children's Publisher on November 6, 2014. There is yet no news of a U.S. publisher.

Pre-order Shoot To Kill by Steve Cole on Amazon.co.uk.

Young Bond: The CHARLIE HIGSON years

In less than 24 hours, Charlie Higson will hand over the Young Bond series to new author Steve Cole at a special event at the Hay Festival in England. As we wait to learn the title of Steve's first Young Bond novel (due for release November 6, 2014), let's take a look back at the history of Charlie Higson's five books and how this extremely successful series came to be.

I published these five installments about "The Secret History of Young James Bond" here on The Book Bond in 2011. Below are links to all five parts. You can also move to the next installment via a link at the end of each post. I'm proud of these posts as it's pretty untypical to get such a good look behind the curtain of a creation of a Bond novel, let alone an entire series.

So enjoy the history of Charlie Higson's Young Bond, and I'll see you back here tomorrow when we will all ring in the start of the Steve Cole era.

I. Young Bond Begins (SilverFin)

II. Fever Pitch (Blood Fever)

III. Name Game (Double or Die)

IV. Gold Standard (Hurricane Gold)
V. In Command (By Royal Command)

Charlie Higson era Young Bond logo.